The Rwenzori Destination Management Plan, officially launched this week, has been hailed as a landmark initiative for Uganda’s mountain tourism, placing communities, culture, and conservation at the forefront of development.
At the launch, Kiiza Alexander, Chief Executive Officer of the Kasese Tourism Investors Forum, emphasized that the plan goes beyond promoting landscapes and wildlife.
“This plan is a promise that from today onwards, tourism will serve the people of Rwenzori first. We have seen firsthand that community members, government, and development partners can come together to shape a shared vision,” he said.
The strategy not only highlights the region’s natural assets—such as snowcapped peaks, crater lakes, and national parks—but also recognizes the porters, guides, basket weavers, elders, and creative entrepreneurs who sustain local culture.
A key goal of the plan is to train and skill 3,000 community members along the tourism value chain by 2030.
This initiative aims to expand opportunities in mountaineering, guiding, festival management, and wildlife safaris, with a particular focus on women, youth, and marginalized groups.
Kiiza stressed that empowering communities ensures shared benefits, celebrates culture, and makes tourism both sustainable and resilient.
The private sector has also issued a call to action, encouraging further investment in five-star hotels, trails, homestays, and marketing to enhance the Rwenzori’s competitiveness.
Beyond tourism, the plan has triggered broader infrastructure improvements. Electricity, once a major challenge in the corridor, has now been extended to hotels and lodges across Kasese and neighboring districts. Some facilities, like Lake George View Hotel, are leading the way with solar energy investments.
Water access has also improved through initiatives by the Ministry of Water and Environment, providing piped water to communities that previously struggled for clean supply.